Wichita Man Pleads Guilty to Filing False Tax Return

James L. Pennington, 66, Wichita, Kan., pleaded guilty to one count of filing a false tax return. In his plea, he admitted his federal income tax return for calendar year 2006 made false claims of expenses for a consulting business. The tax return also failed to report income from the consulting business.

Pennington is a co-defendant with his son, Jason Matthew Pennington, 42, Bel Aire, Kan., who is awaiting trial on charges of wire fraud, money laundering, bank fraud and making false statements to a financial institution. The indictment alleges Jason Pennington stole money from the trust of Marlene M. Brown after her death.

James Pennington is set for sentencing Oct. 6. Both parties have agreed to recommend a year of supervised release in addition to the restitution.

Grissom commended the FBI, IRS—Criminal Investigation and Assistant U.S. Attorney Lanny Welch and Assistant U.S. Attorney Aaron Smith for their work on the case.